Well, sure, but since every decision has tradeoffs, sometimes when arguing for or against a decision, it's easy for managers to side with the person they have more rapport with, who may or may not be correct, rather than decide on technical merits alone.

So, in some cases, it's more beneficial for the company to adopt a "best" practice, than to have engineers engage in arduous discussions, which can cause resentment and further problems within the team.

Needless to say, it's a delicate balance, which is why I wouldn't want to be a manager. :)